Xiangqi

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The story behind the game

Xiangqi (象棋), also known as Chinese chess, is a classic strategy game with deep historical roots and a special status in East Asian culture. Alongside Go, it is considered one of the most important intellectual symbols of Chinese civilization.

Unlike Western chess, Xiangqi developed with its own rules and logic, reflecting a unique perspective on strategy and space. The game demands not only precise calculation and logical thinking but also subtle intuition—a trait highly valued in Eastern philosophy.

Today, Xiangqi is popular not only in China but also in Vietnam, where the game is known as cờ tướng and holds national significance. The country has a well-developed tournament system that includes both professional competitions and large amateur leagues.

Among the Chinese diaspora around the world, Xiangqi retains its cultural significance, connecting generations and serving not merely as entertainment but as a form of intellectual and historical heritage.

History of the game

All chess-like games originated from chaturanga (चतुरङ्ग), an Indian game from the 5th–6th centuries AD. In the West, it evolved into classical chess; in Korea, into janggi (장기, 將棋); in Japan, into shōgi (将棋); and in China, into Xiangqi. These games are played on rectangular, checkered boards with pieces of varying value. According to another theory, Xiangqi developed independently of India—in ancient China about 2,000 years ago. Surviving documents from the Han dynasty indirectly support this, though no concrete evidence exists.

Interestingly, the word “Xiangqi” translates as “elephant chess,” a meaning reflected in the symbolism of its pieces and the name of the game itself. It’s also known that in ancient times, Xiangqi had multiple local versions with differing rules before modern standards were established by the 10th century.

In any case, Xiangqi was certainly played in China by the 8th century, using three-dimensional pieces rather than the flat tokens used in shōgi. The set included the king, elephant, chariot, and soldiers (pawns)—just like in Indian chaturanga. Such precise overlap is hard to dismiss, and even if Xiangqi didn’t directly evolve from chaturanga, the latter clearly had a strong influence on it.

A defining feature that sets Xiangqi apart from other chess variants is the presence of a “river” that divides the board in half. Some pieces, like elephants, cannot cross it, which adds strategic depth. In addition, the “palace,” which limits the movement of the general and guards, is a unique element not found in other types of chess.

Xiangqi’s popularity in China during the 8th–10th centuries is undeniable—it was played by both nobles and peasants. The difference lay only in the cost and complexity of the boards and pieces. A notable historical example is a 10th-century game in which the wanderer Chen Tuan (陳摶) defeated the Chinese emperor. For a long time, the game remained an exclusively Chinese treasure, and its spread to the West didn’t begin until the early 20th century.

References to Xiangqi appear in literature and painting from that period, affirming its cultural importance. In ancient China, the game was also considered a tool for developing strategic thinking and was recommended for future officials and military leaders.

Europeans first learned of Xiangqi through a drawing by François Boucher titled “Playing Chinese Chess,” which was published as an engraving in Paris between 1741 and 1763. The game was known in the West but wasn’t played there until the 1930s. A major boost to its global popularity came from a tournament held in 1930 in Hong Kong between South and East China. The competition had 16 rounds and ended in a draw.

Since then, dozens of regional leagues and educational institutions have been established in China, where children learn Xiangqi from a young age. A major factor in the game’s growth was the broadcasting of matches and commentary by masters, which began to appear in Chinese media in the second half of the 20th century.

The founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 accelerated Xiangqi’s popularization, with annual competitions being organized that attracted large numbers of viewers both domestically and abroad. In 1956, Xiangqi was officially recognized as a sport in China.

Since the 1980s, international tournaments have been held, including world championships with participants from Europe, the USA, Singapore, Vietnam, and other countries. The World Xiangqi Federation (WXF, 世界象棋联合会) was established in 1993 and has since coordinated major competitions worldwide.

Interesting facts

Go and Xiangqi are the most well-known Chinese board games outside of China. When it comes to Chinese chess, here are some interesting facts about the game:

  • Xiangqi was officially included in the World Mind Games in 2008 and 2012.
  • In the 1970s, the USSR attempted to popularize Xiangqi: theoretical manuals and sets under the name “Cho Hong Ki” were sold. However, this failed to overcome cultural differences and language barriers.
  • The strongest Xiangqi player of the 20th century was the Chinese player Xie Xiaxun (谢侠逊). He wrote the first English-language book on the game and later became vice president of the Chinese Xiangqi Association (中国象棋协会).
  • The most prominent player of the 21st century so far is Lü Qin (吕钦), a five-time national champion of China.
  • In Chinese schools, Xiangqi is part of some extracurricular programs as a means of developing logical and spatial thinking.
  • On popular Asian video platforms, some Xiangqi matches receive millions of views—especially when commented on by well-known grandmasters.
  • In Chinese museums, one can see ancient Xiangqi boards and pieces made from jade, ivory, and valuable woods.

Xiangqi is more than just a type of chess—it’s a unique cultural phenomenon that encompasses millennia of history, philosophy, and Eastern strategic thinking. Its rules, board, and pieces reflect the Chinese worldview, and its range of tactical possibilities makes it fascinating for both beginners and professionals. Today, Xiangqi is stepping beyond cultural boundaries to become part of the world’s intellectual heritage alongside classical chess and Go.

If you want to develop your logical thinking, learn to anticipate moves, and engage with an ancient tradition—try playing Xiangqi. Even a single match may surprise you with its depth and unpredictability.

How to play, rules and tips

Unlike classical chess, which is played on an 8×8 board, the Xiangqi board is asymmetrical and consists of 9×10 lines. The pieces are placed not in the center of the squares but at their intersections (as in the game of Go). A dividing line, conventionally called the “river,” runs through the center of the board. It affects piece movement and holds significant strategic value.

This feature makes the game not only visually distinct but also adds complexity to positional play: the same piece may behave very differently before and after crossing the river. In addition, each side of the board features a 3×3 “palace” — an area that restricts the movement of the king and advisors, giving the game a special internal symmetry.

At the beginning of the game, each player has the same set of pieces with different values, including:

  • Chariot — valued at 9 points.
  • Cannon — valued at 4.5 points.
  • Horse — valued at 4 points.
  • Elephant — valued at 2 points.
  • Advisor — valued at 2 points.

The player also controls soldiers, worth one point before crossing the “river” and two points afterward. The pieces differ in color and are often designed as miniature soldiers, cannons, or horsemen. This makes the game more vibrant and engaging — especially for children.

Traditionally, the red pieces move first — this element is fixed in modern rules and affects the game’s opening. The characters inscribed on the pieces differ depending on the side: the same pieces may feature different characters for red and black, highlighting the game’s rich visual culture.

How the pieces move

Each Xiangqi piece has unique movement rules — similar to classical chess — and specific limitations. These are as follows:

  • The king moves only one square vertically or horizontally and cannot leave his 9-square area, known as the “palace.”
  • The advisor moves one square diagonally and also cannot leave the “palace.”
  • The elephant moves exactly two squares diagonally (no less) and cannot cross the “river.”
  • The chariot can move any number of squares vertically or horizontally — but only if no other pieces are blocking its path.
  • The horse moves in an “L” shape — two squares forward and one to the side. Unlike in classical chess, the horse in Xiangqi cannot “jump over” other pieces.
  • The cannon is a unique piece with no equivalent in Western chess. Like the chariot, it moves any distance vertically or horizontally, but to capture, it must “jump over” exactly one piece — called the screen. This feature allows the cannon to deliver unexpected long-range attacks and makes it especially dangerous in open positions.
  • The soldier can only move one square forward before crossing the river and may also move one square left or right afterward.
  • In Xiangqi, the soldier cannot move backward and does not promote to another piece, unlike in classical chess. This imposes strict limitations on its use in the endgame.

Game rules

The objective is to checkmate the opponent’s king — that is, to block all legal moves. However, several restrictions apply:

  • The two kings may not face each other directly on the same file unless there is at least one piece between them.
  • The king may not occupy a square that is under attack.
  • “Perpetual attack” and “perpetual check,” where the king can endlessly evade threats, are not allowed.
  • There are also technical rules that limit repetition: if a player repeats the same position three times without progress, they may receive a warning or a loss — especially in tournaments.

Stalemates also occur in Xiangqi, where a player cannot make a legal move without violating the above rules. This is counted as a loss — the same as a checkmate.

Tips for playing

Xiangqi is quite different from classical chess and can be a refreshing addition to your board game collection. To become skilled at it, you should:

  • Advance gradually across the board, strengthen your flanks, and block enemy attacks.
  • Pay attention to both offense and the defense of your own pieces.
  • Sacrifice pieces when necessary to secure victory.
  • Avoid direct confrontations with the enemy’s army.
  • Take advantage of the soldiers, which become highly effective after crossing the “river.”
  • It’s helpful to remember that quick development is crucial in Xiangqi: deploying chariots and cannons to active positions in the first 5–7 moves can secure central control and suppress the opponent’s initiative.
  • One common beginner mistake is overconcentrating forces in the center. In Xiangqi, flank attacks — especially using the cannon and horse — are particularly effective.
  • Practice shows that the most successful strategies are based on anticipating the opponent’s actions and maintaining tactical initiative, rather than on exchanging pieces.
  • Studying classical openings (like the “central cannon” or “reversed elephant”) can help you understand the structure of the game faster and develop long-term positional initiative.

Even a brief introduction to the rules and a few training games will help you grasp the depth and rhythm of the game. Early on, playing against artificial intelligence can be convenient — most apps allow you to choose difficulty levels and customize play styles.

You can also study annotated games by grandmasters — such videos and interactive analyses are widely available on dedicated platforms. They help you quickly learn tactical patterns, opening principles, and common beginner mistakes.

Xiangqi is not just an entertaining pastime but also a powerful intellectual workout that develops analytical thinking, visual memory, and spatial imagination.

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Metainformation
Created by
Mason Hart {$ ',' | translate $} Ethan Cross
Reviewed by
Jeremy Blake {$ ',' | translate $} Yuki Matsumoto
Last updated 05/13/2025